From Gloss to Glitter, 8 Makeup Trends That Defined the 2000s
The early 2000s was a time when glam pop princesses dominated trends and the angsty youth rolled their eyeliner at the mainstream. It was truly a defining era for makeup trends. While some 2000s makeup looks (like blue eyeshadow, frosty lip gloss, or brown lip liner) were so popular they continued on for a comeback tour 20+ years later—others deserve to stay in the past. We don’t think anyone particularly misses the overplucked eyebrows.
So whether you lived through the turn of the millennium yourself or were born after y2k and are looking for beauty inspo outside of TikTok, we’ve got you. Keep scrolling for our roundup of iconic 2000s makeup trends from the age of all-over glitter.
1. Body Shimmer
As seen on Beyoncé, shimmery everything might be the most iconic makeup trend of the early 2000s. Gold-spiked powders and glittery creams were dusted or slathered onto basically every body part that saw the light of day. For a 2024 take on this early 2000s makeup look, opt for a nourishing body oil with a hint of shimmer (we love KOPARI BEAUTY Coconut Body Glow) and apply to your shoulders and collarbones for luminous, glowy skin.
2. Skinny Eyebrows
If you dumped out anyone's purse in the early 2000s, chances are you’d find a pair of tweezers. The naturally full brows of the ’80s became slimmer through the ’90s, before whittling down to their razor-thin final form in the 2000s. Celebs like Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, and Nicole Richie were all-in on the trend. Since skinny brows are becoming in vogue again, we’ve put together a detailed guide to get the look safely—without the permanent hair loss this time.
3. Lavender Eyeshadow
Pastel eye makeup reigned supreme in the early aughts. This universally-flattering eyeshadow shade manifested as both matte washes of color and high-shine shimmers (like Lucy Liu’s red carpet version), lending a whimsical, youthful touch to makeup looks. This eyeshadow aesthetic translates seamlessly today, too. We love THEBALM COSMETICS’ Lid-Quid Sparkling Liquid Eyeshadow for a silvery, cool-toned lavender that has just the right amount of shimmer.
4. Glossy Lips
The ultimate complement to any y2k makeup look? Lip gloss. Just like Britney Spears, everyone lacquered their lips with the glassiest gloss they could find. And while hair may have gotten stuck to the lips on a windy day, it was worth the trouble. Luckily, glosses today are far less sticky and more emollient—with the addition of nourishing oils to help condition lips. For a more moisturizing gloss look, try PINKLIPPS COSMETICS Glass Lip Gloss in Crystal'd Pink for a vitamin E-rich formula that adds a rosy, shimmery hue to lips.
5. Bronzed Skin
While we shudder to think of the unhealthy tanning bed use that ran rampant at the time (and lack of sun protection skincare), this decade also ushered in the concept of a faux glow. Powder bronzers were applied generously to create a sun-kissed complexion and self tanners added a longer lasting bronze look to the body—even if it did skew orange. These days, there are plenty of natural looking bronzers to help you glow like Paris Hilton. We love RARE BEAUTY Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick to gently sculpt and add warmth to the skin.
6. Emo Makeup
Emo makeup was more than just a trend, it was a lifestyle that often included heavy eyeliner, several coats of mascara, smokey eyes, and an iPod full of pop punk. And when emo makeup comes to mind, so does Avril Lavigne—who was most emblematic of this particular 2000s makeup trend. If you want to try your hand at emo makeup, we suggest having a trusty black eyeliner (like the blendable CIATÉ LONDON Wonderwand Gel-Kohl Hybrid Liner) in your arsenal and don’t forget the lower lash line!
7. Brown Lip Liner
Shades of brown lip liner were all the rage. They were accompanied by matching gloss and lipstick shades to create a defined border, or they were used with lighter shades to create contrast. In the spirit of recreating this iconic 2000s makeup trend, pair the ELEMAN BEAUTY Lip Liner in So Sophisticated (a spicy brown shade) with your favorite clear gloss for a visible lip liner statement look.
8. Baby Blue Eyeshadow
Do as J. Lo does with frosty blue eyeshadow and a pop of pink blush for pure y2k style. This icy eyeshadow hue made its way onto almost every celebrity throughout the 2000s and is already back in the zeitgeist—we’ve seen pastel blues on runways and red carpets alike. Opt for an inner corner pop of blue or take the shade from your lash line all the way to the brow bone for an all-over wash of color.
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